The Rake of Last Resort

by Heather Boyd

Dire circumstances often lead to desperate measures, and it’s the most extreme desperation that leads spinster Edith Dean to the door of a notorious rake, in search of her wayward brother. Without Loftus Dean owning up to his responsibilities, she and her young sisters face starvation and ruin. Though, if anyone learns she’s traveled to Mr. West’s home in London without a chaperone, ruin will befall her anyway.

A spinster has no business in Sidney West’s decadent London town house. But the moment he sets eyes on Edith, he feels protective instincts so strong, he barely hesitates to give the woman and her sisters safe harbor. And the longer Edith stays, the clearer the depths of her brother’s neglect…and Sidney’s determination to keep her close and safe. But is it possible for a woman of virtue to believe the rake of last resort might just be her hero in disguise?

A standalone regency romance short story.

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after—no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she writes steamy romances that skirt the boundaries of propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. Heather has published over sixty regency romance novels and shorter works full of daring seductions and distinguished rogues. She lives north of Sydney, Australia, with her trio of rogues and a four-legged overlord. To learn more visit www.Heather-Boyd.com

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella where an honorable rake is the knight in shining armor to an innocent spinster who is a damsel in distress. Short and sweet romantic tale.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this short story and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a very short little historical romance about a beleaguered spinster from the country, Edith Dean, who has been holding together the home and caring for her young sisters for years, after losing their parents. She had been trying to reach her half brother in London to seek his aide in looking after his own estate and caring for his family, but with no response. She ends up taking other steps, including seeking help from his friends, and this leads to a developing a friendship of sorts, through the post, with noted rake Loftus Dean. But none of her remote efforts yield any aide, and at the end of her tether, with the roof literally falling down upon them, she is forced to take more forceful action.

She, and her sisters end up on the doorsteps of Loftus, when he is hosting her brother and others for a night of debauchery. While she gains her brothers attention briefly, all she achieves is knowledge of how much he despises her and her sisters, and his abandonment of them is not mere neglect, but purposeful abandonment.

What she also discovers though, is that as they grew closer through their letters, but when they meet in person, Loftus and her share a fast brewing attraction that grows into something more, and what starts out as a family tragedy quickly becomes a sweet, but steamy love story as the spinster reforms the rake.

... and as their love grows, dearest brother does get his just desserts.

A sweet, steamy love story that is even more satisfying when the villain gets his comeuppance.

4 stars out of 5

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years after the death of her father, twenty-seven year old Edith Dean arrived at the home of Mr. Sidney West looking for her older brother Loftus, who had left after their father’s funeral and never returned, leaving Edith and her sisters in dire straits. Through their previous correspondence, Edith knew that Sidney and Loftus were friends, but they were also rakes, so arriving at the home of this particular bachelor was a risk to her reputation. Since their home in the country was in disrepair and she had no one with whom to leave them, Edith had brought her two younger sisters Diana and Claire with her. When Edith and Loftus finally spoke, he was angry and hateful and washed his hands of his three sisters. Lack of food and sleep finally took its toll on Edith, and it was then that Sidney realized how he actually felt about Edith. This is a well written quick story filled with drama, emotional upheaval and the awakening of a wonderful relationship. It has been stated that reformed rakes make good husbands, and I would wager that Edith would agree!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story from Heather Boyd. In this one, Edith Dean arrives on the doorstep of known rake, Sidney West, looking for her brother Loftus. Sidney had arranged for Edith to travel to London to meet with her brother, but he did not realize just how horrible Loftus really is. Not only has Loftus ignored his three sisters and ancestral home, but we discover that he loathes them and has no interest in their wellbeing. Thankfully Sidney is not only a gentleman with honour, but a decent human being. This is a story that can be read in less than an hour, so there is no excuse to not get a copy and read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edith and her younger sisters have been left destitute by their uncaring, neglectful brother. Sidney West is, or at least was, her brother’s friend. Edith has come to Sidney’s London townhouse seeking her brother, only to have the coward sneak out before she can see him. Sidney and Edith have become friends, and maybe a little more, through letters exchanged after he learned of their situation. They came to know each other well through the correspondence. Sidney cares for Edith and is protective of her and her sisters. This is a delightful novella with great characters (except for Loftus), and a happy ending.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful sweet and quick romance read. Edith is desperate to reach her brother as she and her sisters are in dire straits. A series of letters between her brother’s friend, Sidney and her develop into so much more. A bit of angst, realizations, gentle wooing, heartache to happiness bring a lovely HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Sidney and Edith's story of two correspondents who bond over her erstwhile and his friends absence and neglect of her and her younger sisters. Due to her brother's neglect Edith decides to leave her crumbling home and seek refuge with the only person she knows in London - Sidney. What happens next is a lovely friends to lovers story.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spinster Edith Dean comes to notorious rake Sidney West’s decadent London town house in search of her brother Loftus. A well written story, with great characters a great storyline and a happy ending. i found their story to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging short romance, gentle and heartwarming. Edith and Sidney are two wonderful people and their letters of correspondence and friendship turn into protection, hope and true love for both. A spinster and rake find their happily ever after.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and sweet. The art of letter writing, I wish it was still as popular now as it was then. I am sure Sydney and Edith became entranced with each other while writing letters. Such a cute and lovely short story. Loved the epilogue.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and fast read tale of Edith and her sisters attempting to save themselves from homelessness and more. As she tries to locate her worthless brother, she must rely on his friend, Sidney. Smooth story line, well written and fully enjoyable.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & Sweet

Another quick read romance from Heather Boyd. So utterly enjoyable and heartwarming.
I would have like a little more. Another chapter or two to fill in some of the gaps perhaps, yet it’s still a great read.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story. I really loved the premise and enjoyed these characters. I would definitely have loved a whole long book about it.